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FASHION & ACCESSORIES

AERA

AERA is a luxury footwear brand that was founded on the principle of placing equal value on product, people and the planet. They focus on creating timeless designs that are crafted from vegan materials by artisans in Veneto, Italy as well as offsetting their impact by 110%.

SUSTAINABILITY PURPOSE

AERA was founded by three friends who all shared a common passion: sustainable manufacturing and the well-being of people, animals and our planet. AERA offers vegan luxury footwear for both men and women. AERA believes that luxury is not a new pair of shoes; luxury to AERA is clean water and fresh air. AERA’s manifesto is built upon considering people and the planet when making their products, honouring traditional craft whilst raising the bar in design and ensuring they leave a light footprint on the world throughout their operations. AERA give back to communities and the wider society through partnerships with several charitable organisations. They are also mindful of their packaging, ensuring they use the most responsible materials possible. All of AERA’s products are sourced from and made by artisans in Italy. In effort to become as circular as possible they are reviewing recycling partners and looking into building a take-back programme for customers to send back used shoes which can potentially be donated. They are also continually searching for more eco-friendly materials to use throughout their collections to minimise even further their impact on the planet.

Established

2018

Headquarters

New York, United States

First Certified

2020

CLIMATE

AERA exemplifies a profound dedication to environmental responsibility through its rigorous approach to conducting Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs). These comprehensive assessments adhere to the guidelines of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 (Environmental Management Systems), allowing AERA to meticulously analyse and comprehend its environmental impact. The LCAs cover multiple stages of the product life cycle, quantifying the carbon footprint associated with raw material extraction, processing, product manufacturing, packaging, and distribution. Based on data from AERA’s most recent LCA, the brand has established ambitious reduction targets for 2026 and 2030, including shipping 75% of products via ocean freight rather than air freight to reach a 40% net Global Warming Potential (GWP) reduction. Furthermore, AERA goes above and beyond by offsetting 100% of its greenhouse gas emissions through supporting reforestation projects, water restoration initiatives, and plastic collection and recycling efforts. Remarkably, AERA not only neutralises its carbon footprint but also exceeds expectations by offsetting 110% of its climate impact, earning the Carbon Neutral Certification from SCS Global Services.

SUSTAINABLE SOURCING

AERA's sustainable sourcing strategy involves meticulously evaluating both current and potential supplier partners through a decision-making criteria framework and a robust supplier code of conduct. This approach considers both environmental and social aspects by placing equal value on product, people and planet. AERA's criteria include stringent requirements such as well-established management systems, relevant certifications, willingness to share data for Life Cycle Assessment studies, and a commitment to environmentally efficient manufacturing processes. Equally important are considerations about the quality of labour, as well as implemented policies focusing on people management, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) and training & development. By prioritising such criteria, AERA fosters sustainable partnerships, ensuring that its supply chain reflects the company's unwavering commitment to social and environmental responsibility.

SDG ALIGNMENT

In order to provide further context into AERA's mission and vision as a purpose-driven company, AERA believes it is important to align their work and efforts with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). AERA analyses current practices and sets targets for two main SDGs in their formal SDG Alignment Report that are most pertinent to their business. For Goal 12, Ensure Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, AERA has innovated its input material selection process to identify bio-based leather alternatives that drastically reduce the environmental impacts of luxury footwear production, while maintaining a high level of durability to ensure their products can withstand the test of time. For Goal 13, Take Urgent Action to Combat Climate Change, AERA maintain an active carbon neutral certification by offsetting 100% of their products’ carbon footprint.

To provide evidence of sustainability performance across luxury companies' full value chain, 180+ memberships, accreditations and specialist certifications are taken into account during assessment

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

ISO 14001 Environmental Management

FSC Certified

B Corporation Certified

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

ISO 9001 Quality Management

Higg Index

ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety

11/2023

RE-CERTIFICATION

10/2023

FINAL SUBMISSION

09/2023

RISK MAPPING

08/2023

BASELINE SUBMISSION

06/2020

FIRST CERTIFIED

05/2020

START

A WORD FROM THE CEO

Business can be a force of good and positive impact when created with ethics and responsibility towards human, animal and environmental welfare.

TINA BHOJWANI

CO-FOUNDER AND CEO

WHY POSITIVE LUXURY

The Butterfly Mark validates our mission and highlights us as a business that has a positive impact on society and our environment. It is important that a third-party like Positive Luxury does this work as it allows consumers transparency and the ease of knowing that a company’s claims have been thoroughly reviewed and substantiated.